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Stay Tuned!

This page is dedicated to key tips for new and experienced masqueraders as it pertains to costumes, band selection, travel, safety and more!

Stay Tuned!

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Trinidad Carnival 2020 with Lost Tribe.

Costume Collection!. You asked for costume pick-up

Costume Collection!. You asked for costume pick-up tips so here we go!
——-
Record keeping is essential! In most cases your mas band now uses electronic means to keep track of your order. Make sure you keep paper copies of not only your invoice, but what they said you were going to get with your costume.
——
Make sure you check your email, and scan the social media posts AND stories. You’d be amazed how frequent it is for the band to change the distribution time/date on you EVEN minutes before it is supposed to begin.
——-
Pack comfort items. Be prepared to have your time wasted. Add games to your phone, download a book, pack snacks, a charger and external battery pack.
——
Wear tight fitted clothing. That way, you don’t have to worry about asking to use a bathroom to try things on. You can slide your body wear right over top of what you have on. Whatever bra you wear that day, do not wear a padded one so it does not skew the fit for you.
——
Go through all your stuff with a representative. Confirm with that individual that you have everything you are supposed to receive. ESPECIALLY your wrist bands. Bands really good at record keeping will have a document that you sign that states that you received everything. Don’t sign a blank check and cover yourself.
——
Try on your costume right away. This way you know nothing is broken, no seams are loose and that there is nothing SERIOUSLY wrong with your costume. If there is something minor that you can fix yourself with glue or a small sewing kit, it may be more beneficial for you to fix it yourself or you will lose a lot of time waiting on them to do it for you.
-----
Pay in full. This eliminated one extra step you have before you can receive your costume.
——
Delays/No costume: Stay calm. no costume? be prepared to negotiate. If offered a costume less value, negotiate a partial refund. DO NOT accept an alternative and chargeback These situations do not justify being a thief.
----
Experienced masqueraders, what did I miss?
----
#caribbeancarnival #caribbeanculture #carnivaltips #carnival #carnivalchaser #howto #travel #fete #carnivaljunkie #masquerader #carnivalcostume #carnivalcostumes

I don’t care what anyone says: Everyone has boun

I don’t care what anyone says: Everyone has boundaries, even at carnival and fetes. How do you navigate those boundaries as a couple? Check out my blog, link in bio. ☝🏽
—-
I reflect on my experience and also share views of a few experienced feting couples.
—-
A MAJOR thank you to those couples that opened up and shared their perspectives 🥰
@_danaleigh @ruthyladama @baselsocalovers @shoni_llc @lilgluteybooty
——-
#letsplaymas #relationships #boundaries #caribbeancarnival #caribbeanculture #culturalawareness #opencommunication #mutualrespect #socamusic #carnival #carnivalchaser

Getting your feathers home | Traveling with feathe

Getting your feathers home | Traveling with feathers. While everyone is prepping to get ready for Miami carnival, you must be wondering how you're going to get your backpack home. No worries! I got you!

In this video, I talk about the ways I know to get a backpack home, demonstrate how to fold a backpack that I have and **bonus** even show you how to fluff out the feathers when you get home.

Need a garment bag? Get you one here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CCYUZO8?...

****Note: The backpack that I used had been inside the garment bag for almost two weeks, and I had some slight damage (due to the rain at Houston carnival and some rough handling). I could definitely leave it to steam for more than the 15 minutes I gave it to give it more life. Be very careful how long you steam your feathers as the moisture in the air can eventually wet the feathers. Monitor closely!****

There are a couple ways to get your backpack home:
1) Shipping-- this is not a cost friendly option. Although your backpack is light, carriers charge by dimension.
2) Folding your backpack into:
a) Garment bag
b) Your luggage.
--- I personally like to use a huge rolling duffel and but my suitcase in it. fly out with "one" bag according to the airline and come back with two: the rolling duffel and the suitcase that was in it. I place the backpack in the rolling duffel, and have it marked as fragile.

Also did a quick demo on fluffing out your feathers when you get home. This backpack definitely needed more than one round and had some damage that steaming cannot undo. Don't be like me and leave your backpack in the garment bag for two weeks!
-----
#letsplaymas #awmcarnival #carnivalista #carnivaltip #carnivalcostume #featherbackpack #frontline #caribbeancarnival #caribbeanculture #fortheculture #miamicarnivalprep #miamicarnival #socacommunity #howto #traveltip #carnivaljunkie #carnivalchaser

Things I wish I had known about Carnival (Part III

Things I wish I had known about Carnival (Part III). Getting ready is going to come with some level of stress. Everyone wants to look their best but you’re working with a timeline and possibly a group of people. Just breathe.
——
Wire is meant to be bent! Its how your costume was made, so bend it! Shape the bra, shape the backpack to make it comfortable for you. You can even bend the wire to pack your backpack to go home.
——
You will get slapped with feathers. Comes with the territory. Let me just take the time out to apologize to any masquerader I have ever assaulted with my backpack. It wasn’t intentional.
——
Your panty is going to migrate. I personally got tired of pulling my panty out over the years and decided that my comfort was more important than coverage.
——
Not all bands are for you. Whether it be style, preference, options, etc… And that can be very discouraging but the beautiful thing is that there is a band for you. Don’t be discouraged!
——
BONUS:
Do not sleep on the smaller or less popular bands!!! Smaller bands are able to accommodate you more intimately which could be a really good thing for you if you are a baby masquerader.
----
#letsplaymas #caribbeancarnival #caribbeanculture #carnivalchaser #miamicarnival #trinidadcarnival #carnivalcostume #carnivalcostumes #masbands #costumedesigners #africandiaspora #culturalunity #culturalalliance

Types of masqueraders at mas camps. Which one are

Types of masqueraders at mas camps. Which one are you? I would call myself a picky-veteran.
——
Gotta love that last-minute masquerader. She is most likely the one who paid for your costume at a reduced price when you failed to pay in full or even pick it up.
——
Then you have the virgin masquerader. She hasn’t been taught the value in bending the wire. We’ve all been there.
——
You got the veteran. She scoped the IG pages for updates, packed water, snacks and an external battery charger. Mentally prepared to wait, and will not leave until she slips her costume over the leggings that she intentionally wore to make sure things fit like it’s supposed to.
——
You got that masquerader who could care less about the costume and more about the fete. As a matter of fact, she is mad that she has to wait on her costume because she’s late for another fete.
——
You have the picky masquerader. She demands to get what she paid for. You better not short her on feather count. Feathers don’t look fresh? She’s pissed. Did you change the wire frame? She will see that.
——
She had dreams to drop down two sizes in four months but didn’t quite make her goal. Now she she’s in the mas camp about cry because it doesn’t fit.
——
You have the masquerader that ordered a costume with little coverage, but is shocked to see that the costume in fact has little coverage at pickup.
——
You have the diva. She demands her costume be fixed for the slightest thing and wouldn’t even think to take her hands to a glue gun to fix it herself.
——
The charge-back masquerader. We all know at least one. The person that revels in the costume, takes photos, drinks the alcohol, poses for the photographer, eats the food, and then turns around to dispute the charges with the bank cause she couldn’t afford to play mas in the first place.
—-
#letsplaymas #caribbeancarnival #miamicarnival #carnivalnewbie #carnivalcostume #carnivalcostumes #mascamp #blackculture #caribbeanculture #culturalawareness #bridgetheculturegap #africandispora #caribbeancomedy #africandiaspora #letsplaymas #fortheculture

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Costume Collection!. You asked for costume pick-up

Costume Collection!. You asked for costume pick-up tips so here we go!
——-
Record keeping is essential! In most cases your mas band now uses electronic means to keep track of your order. Make sure you keep paper copies of not only your invoice, but what they said you were going to get with your costume.
——
Make sure you check your email, and scan the social media posts AND stories. You’d be amazed how frequent it is for the band to change the distribution time/date on you EVEN minutes before it is supposed to begin.
——-
Pack comfort items. Be prepared to have your time wasted. Add games to your phone, download a book, pack snacks, a charger and external battery pack.
——
Wear tight fitted clothing. That way, you don’t have to worry about asking to use a bathroom to try things on. You can slide your body wear right over top of what you have on. Whatever bra you wear that day, do not wear a padded one so it does not skew the fit for you.
——
Go through all your stuff with a representative. Confirm with that individual that you have everything you are supposed to receive. ESPECIALLY your wrist bands. Bands really good at record keeping will have a document that you sign that states that you received everything. Don’t sign a blank check and cover yourself.
——
Try on your costume right away. This way you know nothing is broken, no seams are loose and that there is nothing SERIOUSLY wrong with your costume. If there is something minor that you can fix yourself with glue or a small sewing kit, it may be more beneficial for you to fix it yourself or you will lose a lot of time waiting on them to do it for you.
-----
Pay in full. This eliminated one extra step you have before you can receive your costume.
——
Delays/No costume: Stay calm. no costume? be prepared to negotiate. If offered a costume less value, negotiate a partial refund. DO NOT accept an alternative and chargeback These situations do not justify being a thief.
----
Experienced masqueraders, what did I miss?
----
#caribbeancarnival #caribbeanculture #carnivaltips #carnival #carnivalchaser #howto #travel #fete #carnivaljunkie #masquerader #carnivalcostume #carnivalcostumes

I don’t care what anyone says: Everyone has boun

I don’t care what anyone says: Everyone has boundaries, even at carnival and fetes. How do you navigate those boundaries as a couple? Check out my blog, link in bio. ☝🏽
—-
I reflect on my experience and also share views of a few experienced feting couples.
—-
A MAJOR thank you to those couples that opened up and shared their perspectives 🥰
@_danaleigh @ruthyladama @baselsocalovers @shoni_llc @lilgluteybooty
——-
#letsplaymas #relationships #boundaries #caribbeancarnival #caribbeanculture #culturalawareness #opencommunication #mutualrespect #socamusic #carnival #carnivalchaser

Getting your feathers home | Traveling with feathe

Getting your feathers home | Traveling with feathers. While everyone is prepping to get ready for Miami carnival, you must be wondering how you're going to get your backpack home. No worries! I got you!

In this video, I talk about the ways I know to get a backpack home, demonstrate how to fold a backpack that I have and **bonus** even show you how to fluff out the feathers when you get home.

Need a garment bag? Get you one here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CCYUZO8?...

****Note: The backpack that I used had been inside the garment bag for almost two weeks, and I had some slight damage (due to the rain at Houston carnival and some rough handling). I could definitely leave it to steam for more than the 15 minutes I gave it to give it more life. Be very careful how long you steam your feathers as the moisture in the air can eventually wet the feathers. Monitor closely!****

There are a couple ways to get your backpack home:
1) Shipping-- this is not a cost friendly option. Although your backpack is light, carriers charge by dimension.
2) Folding your backpack into:
a) Garment bag
b) Your luggage.
--- I personally like to use a huge rolling duffel and but my suitcase in it. fly out with "one" bag according to the airline and come back with two: the rolling duffel and the suitcase that was in it. I place the backpack in the rolling duffel, and have it marked as fragile.

Also did a quick demo on fluffing out your feathers when you get home. This backpack definitely needed more than one round and had some damage that steaming cannot undo. Don't be like me and leave your backpack in the garment bag for two weeks!
-----
#letsplaymas #awmcarnival #carnivalista #carnivaltip #carnivalcostume #featherbackpack #frontline #caribbeancarnival #caribbeanculture #fortheculture #miamicarnivalprep #miamicarnival #socacommunity #howto #traveltip #carnivaljunkie #carnivalchaser

Things I wish I had known about Carnival (Part III

Things I wish I had known about Carnival (Part III). Getting ready is going to come with some level of stress. Everyone wants to look their best but you’re working with a timeline and possibly a group of people. Just breathe.
——
Wire is meant to be bent! Its how your costume was made, so bend it! Shape the bra, shape the backpack to make it comfortable for you. You can even bend the wire to pack your backpack to go home.
——
You will get slapped with feathers. Comes with the territory. Let me just take the time out to apologize to any masquerader I have ever assaulted with my backpack. It wasn’t intentional.
——
Your panty is going to migrate. I personally got tired of pulling my panty out over the years and decided that my comfort was more important than coverage.
——
Not all bands are for you. Whether it be style, preference, options, etc… And that can be very discouraging but the beautiful thing is that there is a band for you. Don’t be discouraged!
——
BONUS:
Do not sleep on the smaller or less popular bands!!! Smaller bands are able to accommodate you more intimately which could be a really good thing for you if you are a baby masquerader.
----
#letsplaymas #caribbeancarnival #caribbeanculture #carnivalchaser #miamicarnival #trinidadcarnival #carnivalcostume #carnivalcostumes #masbands #costumedesigners #africandiaspora #culturalunity #culturalalliance

Types of masqueraders at mas camps. Which one are

Types of masqueraders at mas camps. Which one are you? I would call myself a picky-veteran.
——
Gotta love that last-minute masquerader. She is most likely the one who paid for your costume at a reduced price when you failed to pay in full or even pick it up.
——
Then you have the virgin masquerader. She hasn’t been taught the value in bending the wire. We’ve all been there.
——
You got the veteran. She scoped the IG pages for updates, packed water, snacks and an external battery charger. Mentally prepared to wait, and will not leave until she slips her costume over the leggings that she intentionally wore to make sure things fit like it’s supposed to.
——
You got that masquerader who could care less about the costume and more about the fete. As a matter of fact, she is mad that she has to wait on her costume because she’s late for another fete.
——
You have the picky masquerader. She demands to get what she paid for. You better not short her on feather count. Feathers don’t look fresh? She’s pissed. Did you change the wire frame? She will see that.
——
She had dreams to drop down two sizes in four months but didn’t quite make her goal. Now she she’s in the mas camp about cry because it doesn’t fit.
——
You have the masquerader that ordered a costume with little coverage, but is shocked to see that the costume in fact has little coverage at pickup.
——
You have the diva. She demands her costume be fixed for the slightest thing and wouldn’t even think to take her hands to a glue gun to fix it herself.
——
The charge-back masquerader. We all know at least one. The person that revels in the costume, takes photos, drinks the alcohol, poses for the photographer, eats the food, and then turns around to dispute the charges with the bank cause she couldn’t afford to play mas in the first place.
—-
#letsplaymas #caribbeancarnival #miamicarnival #carnivalnewbie #carnivalcostume #carnivalcostumes #mascamp #blackculture #caribbeanculture #culturalawareness #bridgetheculturegap #africandispora #caribbeancomedy #africandiaspora #letsplaymas #fortheculture

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